Medical bowl for coiled devices

ABSTRACT

The invention described herein relates to a medical bowl adapted to accommodate and retain a coiled medical device comprising: generally smooth cylindrical sidewall portion; a generally planar circular bottom portion; and a plurality of retention tabs extending upward from said bottom portion and positioned thereon to provide a space between said sidewall portion and said retention tabs. The retention tabs are structured and positioned to facilitate the handling and grippability of a coiled device placed within the bowl.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of medical devices andequipment useful during medical procedures. In particular, the inventionpertains to a bowl for storing and handling medical items, such ascatheters and guidewires, that can be placed in a compact coiledconfiguration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Certain medical devices and equipment by virtue of theirstructure and materials necessitate a compact coiling thereof in orderto facilitate their storage, packaging or handling. Such devices andequipment include items used during various medical procedures include,but are not limited to, guidewires, flexible stents, catheters, tubing,wires, fiberoptic equipment, and the like. These devices can proveawkward to handle and manipulate by virtue of their resistance tocompact coiling and tendency to expand outward in a radial direction.Accordingly, controlling the storage and handling during medicalprocedures of such items is important, since these items can becomephysical obstacles and have compromised sterility when handledinappropriately.

[0003] A variety of guidewire and catheter bowls are currently availablein the medical field. One such bowl is described in Magers U.S. Pat. No.4,915,216, which describes a surgical bowl having inwardly projectingsidewall lugs which maintain a coiled wire at the bottom of the bowl.Another bowl is described in Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,448, whichdescribes a catheter bowl with integrally molded retaining members onthe sidewall of the bowl. Yet another bowl is described in Cude et al.U.S. Patent No. Des. 433,130, drawn to an ornamental design of acatheter or guidewire bowl containing extended portions protruding fromthe sidewall and an intermittently raised base. These bowls described inthese references, however, are primarily designed to only control theupward migration of a coiled item placed within, and fall short ofaffording the user optimal ease of handling and grippability of the itemwhile inside the bowl.

[0004] None of these references offer the user the advantages associatedwith separating the coiled item from the side and bottom of a bowl whenplaced therein. Thus, there is a need for a medical bowl which canaccommodate a coiled device in a manner which facilitates the storageand handling of the coiled device and is relatively easy to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides a medical bowl for coiled devices havingan improved design. More particularly, it has been discovered that amedical bowl can possess a structure and position of retention tabs suchthat the bowl: 1) improves handling and grippability of a coiled deviceplaced within the bowl by providing i) a gap between the sidewall andretention tabs which utilizes the tendency for outward radial expansionof the coiled device to additionally provide ii) a gap between thecoiled device and the bottom of the bowl; 2) enhances the separation ofthe coiled device from resident fluids inside the bowl; 3) can be storedin stackable, space-saving manner when empty or when containing a coileddevice within; and 4) can be manufactured using an integrally moldedsingle piece construction. The medical bowl according to the inventionis useful for the storing and handling a variety of devices having acoiled configuration, including but not limited to, guidewires, flexiblestents, catheters, tubing, wires, fiberoptic equipment, and the like.

[0006] The invention provides a medical bowl adapted to accommodate andretain a coiled medical device comprising:

[0007] a generally smooth cylindrical sidewall portion;

[0008] a generally planar circular bottom portion;

[0009] a plurality of retention tabs extending upward from said bottomportion and positioned thereon to provide a space between said sidewallportion and said retention tabs.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, each of the retention tabs comprises:

[0011] an outer side, an inner side, a top portion and a base;

[0012] wherein

[0013] said outer side is upright and generally parallel to saidsidewall portion;

[0014] said inner side comprises an incline portion located at the base;and

[0015] said top portion comprises a lip extending inward toward thecentral region of the bowl.

[0016] Additional advantages and aspects of the invention will beapparent from or pointed out in the course of the detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiment which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The following drawings further illustrate the invention, thedrawings not being intended to be construed as limitations as toparticular structures or designs:

[0018]FIG. 1 is an angled side view perspective of the medical bowlaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the interior of themedical bowl according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a top view of the medical bowl according to oneembodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the medical bowl according to oneembodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the medicalbowl containing a retention tab according to one embodiment of theinvention.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of two medical bowls instacked position according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the medicalbowl containing a retention tab and a portion of a coiled device thereinaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The term “medical bowl” as used herein is meant to include use ofthe invention with a variety of items which when placed therein can forma coiled configuration, and therefore benefit from the invention. Theterm is not intended to imply a limitation as to a particular componentor component material placed therein, nor is the term intended topreclude contents in addition to items having a coiled configuration.Examples of other items can include, for example, guidewires, flexiblestents, catheters, tubing, wires, fiberoptic equipment, and the like.

[0026] As used herein, the term “generally smooth” when used inassociation with the sidewall is meant to refer to the absence ofsubstantially protruding structures extending toward the inside of thebowl. The term is not intended to preclude slightly raised indicia ormarkings located on the interior surface of the sidewall.

[0027] The term “generally circular”, when used in association with thebowl bottom, is meant to refer to an overall rounded shape of the bottomportion of the bowl which can correspond to the overall coiledconfiguration of the intended contents for the bowl. Accordingly, theterm is meant to encompass slightly oblong or oval shape as well.

[0028] The term “substantially perpendicular” when used in the contextof describing the position of the retention tabs is meant to refer tothe overall orientation of the tab relative to the bottom portion of thebowl. The term is not meant to preclude various shapes of the tab perse, such as a thicker, inclined portion.

[0029] In general and as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the medical bowl 2of the invention is adapted to accommodate and retain a coiled medicaldevice (not shown in the figures) and comprises a generally smoothcylindrical sidewall portion 3 and a generally planar circular bottomportion 4. The medical bowl 2 is preferably integrally molded andcomprises single piece construction. Accordingly, the portions definedas the generally smooth cylindrical sidewall portion 3 and generallyplanar circular base portion 4 are defined as such in order to afford adistinction relative to the positioning of the retention tabs 5. Thebottom portion 4 of the medical bowl 2 further comprises a plurality ofretention tabs 5 (illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5) extendingupward from said bottom portion 4 and positioned thereon to provide agap or space between the sidewall portion 3 and each retention tab 5 asshown, for example, in FIGS. 2 through 5. The juncture of bottom portion4 and sidewall portion 3, therefore, is not necessarily sharply angled,and can be slightly curved provided it creates a gap or space betweenthe outer side of the retention tab and the interior surface of sidewallportion. The interior surface of the sidewall portion 3 can furthercomprise markings or indicia, such as volumetric gauge markings 6 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0030] The overall shape of the medical bowl can be any shape whichcooperates with the device intended to be compacted or coiled and placedtherein and which permits the retention tabs to function in accordancewith the invention. The medical bowl, therefore, can have an overallcylindrical shape. Other suitable shapes include slightly oblong or ovalshapes, and the like.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment and referring now to FIG. 5, each ofthe retention tabs 5 comprises an outer side 51, an inner side 52, a topportion 53 and a base 54. The outer side 51 of the retention tab 5 isupright and generally perpendicular relative to the bottom portion 4 ofthe bowl 2 and generally parallel to said sidewall portion 3. The outerside 51 refers to that portion of the retention tab 5 closest inproximity to the interior surface of the sidewall portion 3 of the bowl2. The inner side 52 of the retention tab 5 refers to that side of thetab which is positioned closest to the central interior region of thebowl 2. In accordance with the invention, there is a gap or spacebetween the outer side 51 of the retention tab 5 and the interiorsurface of the sidewall portion 3. This gap or space functions tofacilitate the handling and grippability of the coiled device (notshown) when placed within the bowl 2 by providing space to enable theuser's finger(s) to be inserted between the coiled device and sidewallportion 3 of the bowl 2 and thereby enhance the manipulation of thecoiled device.

[0032] Preferably, the inner side 52 of each retention tab 5 comprisesan incline portion 60 located at the base 54 and a top portion 53comprising a lip 70 extending inward toward the central interior regionof the bowl 2. The dimensions of the lip 70 can vary in general, but thelip 70 comprises a generally horizontal undersurface 71 so as toeffectively control the upward migration of a coiled device whenpositioned within the bowl 2. The incline portion 60 of the retentiontab 5 can comprise a widened solid or hollow portion (as depicted inFIG. 5) of the tab 5 and have an orientation such that the lowermost endof the incline fuses with the bottom portion 4 of the bowl 2 and ispositioned closer to the central region of the bowl 2.

[0033] The lip 70 and incline portion 60 function cooperatively toretain a coiled device beneath a particular height, i.e., that of thetop portion 53 of the retention tab 5, while facilitating the raising ofat least part of a coiled device off from full contact with the bottomportion 4 of the bowl 2. The medical bowl of the invention utilizes thetendency of certain resilient coiled devices toward outward expansion ina radial direction to effectuate its retention between the bottomportion 4 of the bowl 2 and the top portion 53 of the tab 5, therebyproviding gaps between the coiled device and the bowl surfaces. Inaddition to separating part of the coiled device from resident fluidwhich may be present in the bowl, the gap or space also facilitates thehandling and grippability of the coiled device inside the bowl by theuser.

[0034] In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the inner side 52surface, incline portion 60 surface, or both, of each retention tab canfurther comprise surface texturing (not shown) to further control upwardmigration of a coiled device placed inside the bowl. Suitable surfacetexturing can include teeth or ridges protruding from the inner sidesurface, or other friction enhancing means.

[0035] The overall dimensions, e.g., height, width and thickness, of theretention tabs 5 can vary. Generally, the retention tabs can have asquare or rectangular shape as shown in the Figures. Preferably, theheight of each retention tab is less than the height of the sidewallportion of the bowl.

[0036] The number of retention tabs can vary provided the number andlocation of the tabs is sufficient to retain a coiled device inside thebowl. Depending upon the nature of the coiled device, as few as tworetention tabs can be used. Preferably, however, the bowl comprises atleast three retention tabs. In one embodiment, a total of six,equidistantly-spaced apart retention tabs are on the bottom portion ofthe bowl as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0037] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the medical bowl 2 of theinvention is adapted to be stacked with other such bowls. Accordingly,the interior of a first medical bowl 2 of the invention can be adaptedto receive the exterior of a second identical medical bowl (shown inFIG. 6 as 2′, the corresponding features of which also contain numericalreferences indicated by a “′” symbol) such that the top portion 53 ofthe retaining tabs 5 of the first bowl 2 contact the exterior surface ofthe bottom portion 4′ of the second bowl 2′. Thus, the bowl of theinvention can be constructed to be stackable, thereby affording theadvantages of space saving with or without a coiled device placedtherein. Furthermore, when two or more bowls are stacked as illustratedin FIG. 6, a coiled device can still be retained within the bowl by theretention tabs without being further vertically compressed therein.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the bowl of the invention can be adaptedto accommodate a lid. When a lid is used, the lid can be constructed tofit over, or seal, the top of the bowl to form a closed containerarrangement.

[0039] The medical bowl of the invention can be made using conventionalmolding, machining or processing techniques readily available to thoseskilled in the art. Examples of suitable molding techniques include, butare not limited to, injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding,and the like. Examples of suitable processing techniques include, butare not limited to, thermoforming, pressure forming, and the like. Themedical bowl can comprise an integrally molded single piececonstruction, and can be composed of plastic or metallic materialssuitable for use in the medical field. Preferably, the bowl is composedof a sterilizable polymer.

[0040] In one example of its use and referring now to FIG. 7, a flexiblecoiled device 100 (depicted as a guidewire) is compacted on a coiledconfiguration so as to have a generally diameter smaller than that ofthe bowl 2 and tabs 5, and placed inside the bowl 2 such that the coileddevice 100 resides below the top portion 53 and lip 70 of the tab 5.Upon release of the coiled device 100 by the user's hand, the coileddevice 100 expands radially in a slightly uncoiling manner pushingslightly against the inner side 52 of the tab 5, and riding upward alongthe incline portion 60 of the tab 5. The gap between the tab 5 and thesidewall portion 3 provides a gap circumscribing the coiled device 100inside the bowl 2 between the tabs 5. Further, the portion of the coileddevice 100 at the inclined portion 60 is slightly raised off from thebottom portion 4 of the bowl 2. As a result, the coiled device 100 is“suspended” away from the sidewall 3 and bottom 4 of the bowl therebyfacilitating the grasping and manipulating of the coiled device 100within the bowl 2.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0041] The invention is useful in a variety of applications whereincontrol over a medical device having a compacted coiled configuration atleast at some point during its storage, handling and/or usage, such asguidewires and catheters.

[0042] The invention has been described with reference to various andspecific preferred embodiments and techniques. It will be understood,however, that reasonable modifications or variations of such embodimentsand techniques are possible without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical bowl adapted to accommodate and retaina coiled medical device comprising: a generally smooth cylindricalsidewall portion; a generally planar circular bottom portion; aplurality of retention tabs extending upward from said bottom portionand positioned thereon to provide a space between said sidewall portionand said retention tabs.
 2. The medical bowl according to claim 1,wherein said coiled medical device is selected from the group consistingof a guidewire, catheter, flexible stent, tubing, fiberoptic device,flexible endoscopic device, and wire.
 3. The medical bowl according toclaim 1 wherein said bowl comprises an integrally molded single piececonstruction.
 4. The medical bowl according to claim 1 wherein saidretention tabs extend upward to a height which is less the height ofsaid sidewall portion.
 5. The medical bowl according to claim 1 whereinsaid retention tabs are located at positions between the outer perimeterof said bottom portion and the central region of said bottom portion. 6.The medical bowl according to claim 1 wherein said plurality ofretention tabs comprises six equidistantly spaced apart tabs.
 7. Themedical bowl according to claim 1 wherein each of said retention tabscomprises: an outer side, an inner side, a top portion and a baseportion; wherein said outer side is upright and generally parallel tosaid sidewall portion; said inner side comprises an incline portionlocated at the base; and said top portion comprises a lip extendinginward toward the central region of the bowl.
 8. The medical bowlaccording to claim 7 wherein the incline portion comprises a lowermostpart oriented toward the central region of the bowl.
 9. The medical bowlaccording to claim 8 wherein the exterior surface of the incline portioncomprises a textured surface.
 10. The medical bowl according to claim 7wherein said lip comprises a generally horizontal undersurface.
 11. Themedical bowl according to claim 1 wherein the interior of said bowl isadapted to receive the exterior of a second identical bowl such that thetop portion of said retaining tabs of a first bowl contact the exteriorsurface of the bottom portion of said second bowl in a stackable manner.12. A bowl adapted to accommodate and retain a coiled device and havingan integrally molded single piece construction, said bowl comprising: agenerally smooth cylindrical sidewall portion; a generally planarcircular bottom portion; a plurality of retention tabs extending upwardfrom said bottom portion to a height which is less the height of saidsidewall portion and positioned thereon to provide a space between saidsidewall portion and said retention tabs, said retention tabs beinglocated at positions between the outer perimeter of said bottom portionand the central region of said bottom portion, each retention tabcomprising: an outer side, an inner side, a top portion and a baseportion; wherein said outer side is upright and generally parallel tosaid sidewall portion; said inner side comprises an incline portionlocated at the base; and said top portion comprises a lip extendinginward toward the central region of the bowl.